JP2000307834A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which has both copy function and facsimile function which further reduce processing time by making reading of an original one time. SOLUTION: Variable power processing to image data and image processing, such as reflection (gamma correction) of density set values, are performed after the image data is divided into a write part 15 and a fax transmission processing part 17. Therefore, a copy output image and a fax transmission image can respectively be subjected separately to processing. Then, the size and density of an image can be set separately for copying and faxing. Also, because image data is respectively read and subjected to processing when copy is performed and when fax is performed, both the processing can simultaneously and be performed simultaneously and quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having both a copy function and a facsimile transmission / reception function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image forming apparatuses, which share a copy function and a facsimile function by themselves, have become widespread.
In this type of image forming apparatus, copy and facsimile transmission originals are read by a common scanner, and copy and facsimile originals are printed out by a common printer, saving installation space and improving office work efficiency. Has contributed to. By the way, in the conventional image forming apparatus of this type, when copying the same original and simultaneously transmitting it by facsimile, the user has to perform both the reading operation for copying and the reading operation for facsimile. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-36998 discloses an apparatus that automatically copies the same original by one reading operation and simultaneously transmits the original by facsimile.

[0003]

However, according to the above-mentioned technique, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-36998, the reading for copying and the reading for fax are performed twice. . Further, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when a plurality of copies of a plurality of originals are output and the originals are transmitted by facsimile, the last page is transmitted by facsimile only after the reading of the last page is completed.
In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-36998,
Unless the previous page is copied and output, the final page is not read for facsimile, so that it takes time for all pages to complete fax transmission.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the processing time is further reduced by reading an original once. Second embodiment of the present invention
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of shortening a processing time and performing optimal mode processing on each of a copy and a facsimile output image.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, reading means for reading a copy document and a facsimile transmission document, storage means for storing image data read by the reading means, and reading by the reading means. In an image forming apparatus including a copying unit that copies image data on a predetermined sheet, and a facsimile transmission unit that transmits the image data read by the reading unit by facsimile, copying by the copying unit to the same original document includes: When simultaneously performing facsimile transmission by the facsimile means, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the stored image data is copied by the copying means, and simultaneously transmitted by the facsimile transmission means by facsimile transmission. Achieve one objective.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the copying by the copying unit and the facsimile transmission by the facsimile unit are simultaneously performed on the same original, The second object is achieved by providing a copy image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode of the above, and a facsimile transmission image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode when the facsimile transmission means performs facsimile transmission. To achieve. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the same document is copied by the copying means.
When performing facsimile transmission by the facsimile means at the same time, a copy image size mode setting means for setting an image size mode when copying is performed by the copying means, and an image size mode when facsimile transmission is set by the facsimile transmission means The second object is achieved by providing a facsimile transmission image size mode setting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading a copy document and a facsimile transmission document, a copying means for copying image data read by the reading means on a predetermined sheet, and an image data read by the reading means. And facsimile transmission means for facsimile transmission of the same document, when the copying by the copying means and the facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are simultaneously performed on the same original, the reading by the reading means is performed once. The first object is achieved by copying the image data read in step (1) by the copying means and transmitting the image data by facsimile at the same time.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are performed simultaneously on the same original, The second object is achieved by providing a copy image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode of the above, and a facsimile transmission image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode when the facsimile transmission means performs facsimile transmission. To achieve. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the same document is copied by the copying means,
When performing facsimile transmission by the facsimile means at the same time, a copy image size mode setting means for setting an image size mode when copying is performed by the copying means, and an image size mode when facsimile transmission is set by the facsimile transmission means The second object is achieved by providing a facsimile transmission image size mode setting means.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram for describing a flow and processing of image data of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The reading unit 11 reads an image by a CCD (photoelectric conversion element) and converts the read analog image data into digital data by A / D (analog / digital) conversion. When common image processing is performed for fax data and copy data, the common image processing unit 1
2 is processed in the image memory 1 as intermediate data.
3 is stored. The data stored in the image memory 13 is
It is read out to perform copy output processing and sent to the copy image processing unit 14, and is read out for fax transmission processing and sent to the fax image processing unit 16.

The copy image processing section 14 performs image processing such as gamma correction processing and scaling processing on the copy image data. The data processed by the copy image processing unit 14 is sent to the writing unit 15, and the writing unit 15 performs a process of printing the received image data on transfer paper.
On the other hand, the fax image processing unit 16 performs image processing such as gamma correction processing and scaling processing on the fax image. The data processed by the fax image processing unit 16 is sent to the fax processing unit 17. Fax processing unit 1
In step 7, a fax transmission / reception process is performed. The data received from the fax image processing unit 16 performs a fax transmission process.

The following processing can be performed by the function of each block clarified in the above description. First, image processing such as scaling processing and reflection of a density setting value (gamma processing) on image data is performed by the writing unit 15 and the fax processing unit 17.
This is performed after the image data is branched, so that the copy output image and the fax transmission image can be separately processed. Therefore, the image size and density can be set separately for copying and faxing. Also,
When performing the copy processing and the facsimile processing, the image data is read out and processed, so that both processings can be performed simultaneously.

When a copy original is to be transmitted by facsimile or when a facsimile transmission original is to be copied and output, means for simultaneously setting the copy setting and the facsimile transmission setting are provided. For this purpose, the following patterns can be considered. An operation screen dedicated to simultaneous operation of copy and fax will be provided. A fax simultaneous transmission setting key is provided in the copy screen,
A copy output simultaneous setting key is also provided in the fax screen so that the simultaneous copy and fax mode can be set. A copy / fax simultaneous operation setting key is provided, and when pressed, a copy / fax simultaneous operation mode can be set on the copy screen and the fax screen.

Here, a case of a pattern will be described as an example. FIGS. 2 to 5 show an operation unit provided with an operation screen dedicated to simultaneous operation of copy and fax. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the main body operation unit. The main body operation unit is provided with an LCD display screen 21 on which a touch panel is superimposed, and further includes a copy function selection key 22, a fax function selection key 23, and a copy fax simultaneous mode selection key 2
4. A start key 25 is provided.

FIG. 3 shows a copy operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 21 when the user presses the copy function selection key 22 of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a fax operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 21 when the fax function selection key 23 of FIG. 2 is pressed. FIG. 5 shows that the copy fax simultaneous mode selection key 24 is depressed.
This is a copy fax simultaneous operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 21. When the simultaneous copy and fax mode is selected and the number of copies set on the copy display section is other than 0 and there is a destination input on the fax display section, the processing in the simultaneous copy and fax mode is performed. In this embodiment, since the reading is performed first, the image data is stored in the image memory 13, and the copy output and the fax transmission process are simultaneously performed on the image data, the fax transmission process can be started without waiting for the copy output. Yes, it is possible to reduce the time until fax transmission.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The reading unit 51 reads an image by a CCD and converts the read analog image data into an A / A.
The data is converted into digital data by D conversion. The image data is copied image processing unit 52, fax image processing unit 55
It is designed to flow to both. Copy image processing unit 5
In step 2, image processing such as gamma correction processing and scaling processing is performed on the copy image data. When the copy mode is selected, the process execution determination unit 53 switches a switch so that data flows after the writing unit 54,
When the facsimile mode is selected, a switch is switched so that data does not flow after the writing unit 54.

When the simultaneous copy and fax mode is selected, the switch is switched so that data flows from the writing section 54 onward. Then, the writing unit 54 performs a process of printing the received image data on transfer paper. The fax image processing unit 55 performs image processing such as gamma correction processing and scaling processing on the fax image. The processing execution determination unit 56 switches the switch so that data does not flow to the facsimile processing unit 57 when the copy mode is selected, and sends the data to the facsimile processing unit 57 and thereafter when the facsimile transmission mode is set. Flip the switch so that flows. When the copy fax simultaneous mode is set, the switch is switched so that data flows to the fax processing unit 57. The facsimile processing unit 57 performs a facsimile transmission / reception process.

The following processing can be performed by the function of each block clarified in the above description. In the case of the copy operation, the image data flows to the writing unit 54, and the data does not flow to the fax processing unit 57. In the case of the fax transmission operation, the image data flows to the fax processing unit 57 and the data does not flow to the writing unit 54. In the case of the copy / fax simultaneous mode, data flows to both the writing section 54 and the fax processing section 57. Since image processing such as scaling processing on image data and reflection of density setting values (gamma processing) are performed after the image data is branched to the writing unit 54 and the fax processing unit 57, the copy output image and the fax transmission image are processed. Each can be processed separately. Therefore, the size and density of the image can be set separately for copying and faxing.

If you want to fax a copy,
An example in which an operation screen dedicated to simultaneous operation of copy and fax is provided, as in the first embodiment, so that a copy setting and a fax transmission setting can be simultaneously set when a fax transmission original is to be copied and output. Will be described. An operation unit provided with an operation screen dedicated to simultaneous copy / fax operation is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in the description of the first embodiment. In this embodiment,
If the copy output is set to a plurality of copies, the writing unit 5 outputs the read image data only when outputting the first copy.
4 is sent to both the fax processing unit 57 and the transfer of the second sheet is sent only to the writing unit 54. Since the fax transmission process is performed during the output of the second copy, the processing time can be reduced.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the image data is simultaneously copied and faxed, so that the processing time can be reduced and the processing efficiency of the user is improved. I do. Claim 2 and Claim 3
In the described invention, at the time of simultaneous processing of copying and faxing,
Since a process suitable for each output image can be performed, desired mode quality set by a user can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a case where copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are simultaneously performed on the same original, image data read by one reading by the reading means is read. Since the data can be copied by the copying means and simultaneously transmitted by the facsimile transmission means, the processing efficiency of the user is improved. According to the fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention, at the time of simultaneous processing of copying and facsimile, processing suitable for each output image can be performed, so that desired mode quality set by the user can be obtained. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a flow and processing of image data of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main body operation unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a copy operation screen displayed on an LCD screen when a copy function selection key is pressed.

[Fig. 4] When the fax function selection key is pressed, LC
It is a figure showing the fax operation screen displayed on the D screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a copy fax simultaneous operation screen displayed on the LCD screen when a copy fax simultaneous mode selection key is pressed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the flow and processing of image data of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 51 reading unit 12, common image processing unit 13 image memory 14, 52 copy image processing unit 15, 54 writing unit 16, 55 fax image processing unit 17, 57 fax processing unit 53, 56 processing execution determination unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] A reading unit for reading a copy original and a facsimile transmission original; a storage unit for storing image data read by the reading unit; a copying unit for copying the image data read by the reading unit onto a predetermined sheet. And facsimile transmission means for facsimile transmission of the image data read by the reading means, wherein in the case where copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are simultaneously performed on the same original, An image forming apparatus, wherein said image data is temporarily stored in said storage means, and the stored image data is copied by said copying means, and is simultaneously transmitted by facsimile by said facsimile transmission means. 2. A copy image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode at the time of copying by the copying means when simultaneously performing copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means on the same document. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising facsimile transmission image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode when the facsimile transmission means performs facsimile transmission. 3. A copy image size mode setting means for setting an image size mode at the time of copying by the copying means when simultaneously performing copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means on the same document. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a facsimile transmission image size mode setting unit that sets an image size mode when the facsimile transmission unit performs facsimile transmission. 4. A reading device for reading a copy document and a facsimile transmission document, a copying device for copying image data read by the reading device on a predetermined sheet, and a facsimile transmission for facsimile transmitting the image data read by the reading device. In the image forming apparatus provided with means, when copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are simultaneously performed on the same original, the image data read by one reading by the reading means is read. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image data is copied by the copying means and is simultaneously transmitted by the facsimile transmission means. 5. A copy image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode at the time of copying by the copying means when simultaneously performing copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means on the same document. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising facsimile transmission image density mode setting means for setting an image density mode when the facsimile transmission means performs facsimile transmission. 6. A copy image size mode setting means for setting an image size mode at the time of copying by the copying means when copying by the copying means and facsimile transmission by the facsimile means are simultaneously performed on the same document. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a facsimile transmission image size mode setting unit that sets an image size mode when the facsimile transmission unit performs facsimile transmission.